The standoff and ultimate tragedy in Waco, Texas, highlights the potential volatility and uncertainty of crisis negotiations and demonstrates the challenges law enforcement officials face as they attempt to resolve these situations. Hammer's book provides a practical negotiation approach (the S.A.F.E. model) that hostage negotiators and first responders can use to help save lives in situations where violence or the threat of violence is present. He identifies methods of interaction and communication during a hostage crisis that help to dispel tension and resolve situations peacefully.
Endorsement From Major Robert Beach (retired), Hostage Negotiation Commander, Fairfax County Virginia Police Department
Dr. Hammer has taken a very good theory to a practical, life saving practice. The communication-based S.A.F.E. model is the most exciting and effective breakthrough in hostage/crisis negotiations in two decades. It gives the hostage negotiator a dynamic new tool with which to save lives.
Endorsement From Dr. Randall G. Rogan, Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication, Wake Forest University
Dr. Hammer's book offers invaluable insights into the dynamics of crisis and hostage negotiation from a communication-based focus. Though the book is solidly grounded in scholarly theory, Hammer deftly blends this with practical application gleaned through his knowledge and experience in crisis negotiations. This book is a necessary resource for scholars and practitioners alike.
Endorsement From Dr. Karen Tracy, Professor, Department of Communication University of Colorado
Mitch Hammer's wonderful book delivers what its title projects -- a way to save lives. By providing negotiators with the conceptual tools to assess a hostage-taker or a suicidal person's talk during negotiation exchanges in volatile situations, Hammer insures that law enforcement agents will be well equipped to decide which communicative practices to employ, whatever the crisis might be. Saving Lives displays in a compelling fashion how theoretical ideas about communication can be refashioned to be directly useful in an important social practice.
Endorsement From Dr. Abdul Aziz Said, Professor and Director of the International Peace and Conflict Resolution program, American University
Mitch Hammer, a distinguished scholar and practitioner, applies his rich experience to creating a model of conflict resolution that goes beyond instrumental conflict. Saving Lives deals with identity and relational conflicts. It is a remarkable contribution both to theory and practice in the field. Hammer provides penetrating theoretical insights and demonstrates their applicability to four critical hostage incidents: the Alpha incident, the Bravo incident, the Charlie incident, and the Delta incident. Equally important, he provides a clear map for future research and practice. Our toolbox of hostage crisis negotiation has been vastly enriched. Saving Lives benefits practitioners, academics, public officials, and private organizations, as well as university students.
List Price: $49.95 Publication: 9/30/2007
To order, visit www.greenwood.com or call 1-800-225-5800.
